Uhuru happy with WB pledge of Sh716b for regional peace

President Uhuru Kenyatta receives World Bank President Jim Yong Kim as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (left) looks on at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday. PHOTO | PSCU. 

By The Citizen Correspondent

In Summary

• Islamic Bank President Ahmad Ali  Madani was one of the participants at the meeting where President Kenyatta said the funds would boost peace-seeking initiatives already underway

Nairobi. President Uhuru Kenyatta has welcomed the Sh716 billion ($8.3 billion) support for peace and development in the Horn of Africa region pledged by the United Nations, the World Bank, African Development Bank and other development partners.

He said the financial resources will boost initiatives the region has already embarked on to ensure peace.

“Kenya and the Horn of Africa are glad to see this coordinated action by the United Nations, the World Bank, the African Union, the African Development Bank, IGAD and the other institutions represented here,” President Kenyatta said.

The President made the remarks at State House, Nairobi after a high-level meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim and AU Commission Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha.  The meeting was also attended by Islamic Development Bank President Ahmad Ali Al-Madani, IGAD Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim, senior representatives from the African Development Bank and other critical actors in peace-building and development.

President Kenyatta said the visit by the leaders of the UN, World Bank and other institutions to understand the peace and development conditions on the ground is a strong proof of their renewed cooperation with the Horn of Africa countries.  “Here I ought to give special mention to His Excellency the Secretary General: he is now a regular visitor to Kenya, reflecting his personal commitment to this region,” the President said.

He assured the leaders that Kenya will continue to devote its resources and expertise to building a stable region that is integrating economically to achieve inclusive prosperity for all people.

“We are guided by the fundamental understanding that together we can achieve the positive transformation of our region,” he said.

The President pointed out that Kenya has been at the heart of regional peace initiatives and will use the knowledge it has gained over the years to sustain that commitmen